As far back as I can remember my mother and father loved celebrating Thanksgiving. My father would tell us that this was his favorite holiday, simply because we were blessed as a family with good health and fortune. He was proud that we were able to still come together throughout the years and gather around the dinner table to give thanks to our Lord for the gift of each other, and the wonderful meal my mother had prepared. She spent days in the kitchen baking homemade pumpkin pies, preparing all the side dishes and then her famous homemade stuffing for the Turkey. I’m thankful that I use to stand beside her and watch, help and learn her recipes, just as she had done with her mother.

Their tradition of Thanksgiving passed on to me. Even though they are no longer here, I’m thankful that I am of good health to be able to continue to pass the tradition on to my daughters and grandchildren. I’m ready to smile, laugh and share in the abundance of love our family has always had for one another. I’m ready to cook and eat and feel the joy that I have felt in the past when my family turns to me and thanks’ me for the wonderful meal and the wonderful time.

My father use to always say to me. “It’s all about family.” He is absolutely right and his words ring true to this day. My parent’s want me to move forward and not stay stuck in grieving the loss of them. I know my mother and father are with me in spirit. I feel them all around me, everyday. And, I know on Thanksgiving Day, my mother will be in the kitchen with me helping me cook. My daughters and grandchildren will be right there too learning. And, I’ll be able to hear my father’s voice as we sit down at the dinner table thanking our Lord for bringing us all together. I’m thankful that God gave me wonderful parents. I’m thankful for my children, grandchildren and my Knight in Shining Armor – my husband.

Mom and Dad – Happy Thanksgiving, I love you!

God bless and Happy Thanksgiving to all……

Deborah Ann Tornillo
Author, “36 Days Apart”
http://www.deborahtornillo.com

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Deborah Tornillo

Deborah Tornillo was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas by her loving and nurturing parents. She attended the University of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she studied Art. After marrying, raising two daughters and enjoying life with her family, Deborah joined a higher calling by committing to be the primary caregiver for her parents, both of whom were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in February 2006. In her new collection of memoirs, 36 Days Apart: A memoir of a daughter, her parents and the Beast named – Alzheimer’s: A story of Life, Love and Death, Deborah chronicles the time spent taking care of her mother and father. 36 Days Apart recounts this painful, enlightening journey, and Tornillo writes candidly about the struggles and fears she faced as her parents’ caregiver. As their disease progressed, Tornillo was faced with the difficult task of learning how to be a parent to her own parents. Through the year and a half of caring for them she extensively researched Alzheimer’s in order to provide the best care possible, all the while knowing that the disease would eventually win in the end. 36 Days Apart gives an honest, unflinching look at the realities of caring for and losing loved ones to Alzheimer’s. Tornillo gives the reader an inside look into the day-to-day life she faced during her heartbreaking, difficult time.

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